He said the Argentinian military was not the same power as it was under General Galtieri in 1982.

Mr Robathan told MPs: “I think it is highly unlikely that the Argentinians will invade the Falkland Islands, not least because there is a clause in their constitution I understand which specifically excludes invading the Falkland Islands by force.”

Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart said the Argentinians would be “pretty incapable” of launching any attack.

He added: “With most of their aircraft, their ground crew lack the spares and lack the training.”